Seniors still on a roll

Last Updated on Wednesday, 30 June 2010 21:11
Written by Deb Egenberger
Wednesday, 30 June 2010 21:09

Melons beat McCook, get revenge on Cozad.

Sweltering temperatures helped dry up outfield puddles last week and while the heat drove fair-weather fans into air-conditioned living rooms, the Melons continued to ripen.

Gothenburg’s Senior Legion baseball team pushed its winning streak to five games with a pair of victories over McCook and Cozad, moving the Melons to 9-3 on the season.

Gothenburg is at home again Wednesday (tonight) hosting Broken Bow before four games on the road beginning with Aurora on Friday and Holdrege Tuesday.

All three games are set to begin at approximately 8 p.m.

Home runs lift Melons

Three Melon batters hit home runs against the visiting McCook National Bank Seniors to propel Gothenburg to an 8-1 victory on June 22.

With a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second inning, Tanner Schwanz hit a home run over the right field fence with one out and nobody on. It was the only run of the inning, putting the Melons up 3-0.

McCook threatened to take the lead in the top of the third with two outs and bases loaded but Melon left fielder Brady Preitauer put an end to it when he caught a deep fly ball by Justin Terry.

After holding the Melons to three-and-out in the bottom of the third, McCook scored in the fourth inning on a catcher’s error but it was the only run the visitors would get.

Gothenburg went three-and-out again in the fourth inning but made up for it in the fifth.

With one on and two outs, pitcher Korey Ahlenstorf hit a two-run homer.

Ben Mayher reached on a fielding error at first to set up another two-run home run in the inning by right fielder Aaron Lauer.

The four runs in the inning gave Gothenburg a 7-1 advantage.

The Melons scored again in the bottom of the sixth.

Schwanz singled and advanced to second on a fielding error. Cody Ostergard hit a sacrifice fly to move Schwanz to third and the center fielder scored on a single by Tre Ostergard.

Ahlenstorf threw eight strikeouts and allowed four hits in a complete game win on the mound.

Sixth inning rally

After struggling to get runners on base for four innings, the Melons broke loose in the fifth to score six runs and gain revenge over Cozad Friday night winning 6-1.

The Reds handed the Melons one of their three losses earlier this month and it appeared the second matchup would be a tight battle until the bottom of the fifth inning.

Aaron Lauer opened the inning with a double. Taylor Walker followed with a single that moved Lauer to third.

Walker stole second and Brett Mayher walked to load the bases.

Tanner Schwanz reached on a fielding error at shortstop scoring Lauer and leaving the bases loaded.

Both Walker and Mayher scored when Cody Ostergard singled. A fielding error on the hit allowed Schwanz to take third and Ostergard to get to second.

When Tre Ostergard walked, the bases were loaded once again.

Landen Haake grounded out to second but the play allowed Schwanz to score.

Korey Ahlenstorf walked to fill the bases a fourth time in the inning.

Batting around, Lauer singled again to score both Cody and Tre leaving two guys on base.

Dane Wilson was hit by a pitch to load the bases once again but the inning ended when Trent Good grounded out to shortstop.

The Melons scored their six runs on four hits and two errors in the inning.

Cozad managed one run in the top of the sixth.

With Schwanz on the mound, Cozad had one out and bases loaded when Eric Zimbleman hit an RBI single.

Landen Haake came in to relieve Schwanz. With bases still loaded, Jed Paulsen reached on a fielder’s choice that forced Mason Fisher out at home.

Haake ended the threat by striking out Micah Neill to close the inning.

Neither team got past second in the seventh inning.

Lauer led the Melons with two hits and two RBIs.

Schwanz got the win on the mound and Haake recorded the save.

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